A lot is changing in the working world with new models and a different work culture. The advancements in technology allow us to work from different locations at different times, and even from home. There also is the generation Y, which introduces quite different expectations to the working world compared to their predecessors. Mobility and […]

A lot is changing in the working world with new models and a different work culture. The advancements in technology allow us to work from different locations at different times, and even from home. There also is the generation Y, which introduces quite different expectations to the working world compared to their predecessors. Mobility and fun at work plays a role nowadays, as well as a healthy work-life balance. Yet, with all these new factors, we must not forget one thing: more than half of the current workplaces still use a traditional stationary desk.

A Gartner study confirms that in 2017, 54 percent of office workplaces remain stationary. Even if the number decreased comparing to the previous year, we still must not ignore this fact. Long ways, tangled cables, a low safety level, poor networking and high energy consumption are among the possible nuisances of working on a stationary desk.

In order to avoid these, Fujitsu experts brought the project “Hyper Efficient Workplace (HEWP)” into being. In fact, the name says it all. From baby boomers and millennials to the new digital natives, the efficiency of the office workplace is the deciding factor, as well as energy consumption. All employees, no matter which generation they belong to, should be able to work as efficiently and comfortably as possible.

An intelligent overall concept aimed against power and efficiency issues

Taking a closer look at the “classic” once more, we can quickly define the necessary components. What we need for work is a desktop PC, a telephone, usually two displays or screens as well as a mouse and a keyboard. Also, there are other components aimed at improving functionality and comfort. We need electricity and sockets for all those devices. This leads to problems which many employers know by heart. There are not enough power sockets; your feet get caught up in the clutter of wires with multiple sockets and extensions. And all devices consume power continuously. HEWP is targeted against these power and efficiency traps.

For example with a solution consisting of the mini PC ESPRIMO Q957, two screens and a Workplace Connect Kit. The special socket strip allows quick access for all end devices. At the end of the workday an employee can easily disconnect all users with a simple click and save energy. The ESPRIMO has a power-saving Low Power Active Mode, which also becomes active every time an employee leaves their workplace. In addition, the mini PC is extremely quiet and its small size makes your workplace tidy. After a 10-second timeout period (a defined period of inactivity), the mini PC switches to the “Dimmed Mode” and reduces brightness of the display automatically. After another 30 seconds the BacklightOff Mode is turned on and the display switches off.

After one more minute on Low Power Active Mode, it is not the usual standby that is activated but the mini PC simply shuts down only all unnecessary processes. All the rest remains active and available. Now, for example, if you have an incoming call via Skype for Business, you can simply answer it immediately. This is one of the many advantages of the special Low Power Active Mode, which still saves energy. In sum, significant improvements can be achieved with all components in many areas. You work better and more comfortably in an ergonomic and well-organized workplace design.

Thanks to the Skype for Business component, which replaces the traditional telephone, employees are always available. The Hyper Efficient Workplace, however, mostly scores with its low energy consumption. Taking a year that has 224 working days and 141 work-free days, we can easily take advantage of very high energy savings potentials for a traditional stationary workplace. During one working day employees can save up to 70% on energy. The entire project can make a great contribution to a better environment and the society also just by improving a workplace model, which is all too often forgotten in the hyper-networked world.

This post was originally published by Jörg Langer on our regional blog (German) here.

EraseDisk ensures your data does not fall into the wrong hands after end-user devices in your organization reach their end of life Ever wondered what happens to your company’s devices, such as PCs, laptops, workstations, once they reach their end of life? Most of the times these old devices are either discarded or donated; however, […]

EraseDisk ensures your data does not fall into the wrong hands after end-user devices in your organization reach their end of life

Ever wondered what happens to your company’s devices, such as PCs, laptops, workstations, once they reach their end of life? Most of the times these old devices are either discarded or donated; however, in companies with strict compliance regulations, the old PCs are recycled or sold after the so-called ‘secure’ deletion of the drives. But is it really secure? Not really.

Disk sanitization or the process of permanently removing data from old PCs is considered costly, time consuming and somewhat complicated, and because of this many organizations tend to overlook it. Retrieving sensitive or critical data from old equipment is not that difficult, if data is not permanently deleted. Data is the currency of the digital world; companies simply cannot afford to lose it.

EraseDisk is a data protection solution from Fujitsu to help organizations tackle the problem of leaving sensitive data on hard disk drives when end-user devices reach their end of life. It enables the complete and ‘residue-free’ cleanup of a PC’s hard disk drive, before a device is retired, reused or sold. EraseDisk functionality allows easy and secure recycling of end-user devices, such as PCs and workstations, and helps companies with the compliance measures necessary in many industries. In addition, it also provides time and cost-savings and environmental benefits.

Embedded into the firmware of selected Fujitsu client computing devices, EraseDisk irretrievably wipes the data on all partitions on all hard drives of a device. With EraseDisk, disk sanitization can easily be done internally, either by the user or administrator – it’s up to the company to decide who should perform data deletion (no need for third party services!).

Why EraseDisk?

Allows easy, cost effective and secure deletion of the drives

Permanently and irretrievably delete all data from drives without any third party involvement

Ensures that the devices are recycled or sold without any risk of critical business data being disclosed

No separate installation required as it is already implemented within a system’s UEFI firmware (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)

Can’t get lost during the lifetime of the device since it’s a part of the BIOS

Why delete data in a secure manner?

Before drives can be discarded or a device is sold the data should be irretrievably erased to ensure highest data security. Simply erasing data from drives or formatting drives is not sufficient to ensure data protection. Confidential or business-critical data might still be recovered and misused. EraseDisk shall also be used whenever users need drives to be completely wiped, e.g. when installing a new operating system.

To know more about the Fujitsu EraseDisk functionality, please refer this FAQ document.

If you are interested Fujitsu’s energy-efficient client computing devices, please have a look at the ESPRIMO product page or contact your local Fujitsu reseller.

Mobile technology has dramatically changed our lives. Fast, cheap, and ubiquitous Internet connectivity makes it easier than ever to be online 24/7. As an integral part of our private lives, the technologies that enable this paradigm shift have already spread throughout the workplace. Smartphones, tablets, cloud technologies, and easy access to productivity, communications, collaboration, and […]

Mobile technology has dramatically changed our lives. Fast, cheap, and ubiquitous Internet connectivity makes it easier than ever to be online 24/7. As an integral part of our private lives, the technologies that enable this paradigm shift have already spread throughout the workplace. Smartphones, tablets, cloud technologies, and easy access to productivity, communications, collaboration, and other apps tailored to specific needs have already changed the way we work. We can now work whenever, wherever, and however we want. Employees can access the information they need from virtual workplaces and interact with their remote colleagues and business systems anywhere, making mobility a key requirement to remain competitive.

Wearables, augmented and virtual reality, 3D printing, and the Internet of Things are also set to reshape the workplace, in ways we’re only just starting to see. Mark Zuckerberg has demonstrated how virtual reality will replace conference calls as we know them. 3D printing already provides us with rapid prototyping capabilities which allow us to construct prototype objects much quicker and cheaper than before. And the Internet of Things and wearables have changed the way we monitor and process environmental data – changing our interaction with our buildings and surroundings. These technologies are driving change. They are also data-hungry, requiring huge amounts of storage and bandwidth: mobility and data will be the key enablers of the future workplace.

Ready for the challenge?

As the pace of digital innovation strides ahead, businesses are challenged with developing a more social, mobile and data-driven work environment that can support their changing business needs.

Mobile devices will need to have high storage volumes and performance specifications, and will need to seamlessly integrate into rapidly changing corporate environments both in the office and remote. Employees who spend most of their time working remotely – whether from coworking spaces or home – will need portability, but also excellent connectivity options. Those who travel much of the time will need ultra-mobile devices that combine top performance with a super-lightweight form factor. Regardless of their role, all employees will need a device that is flexible, allowing them to adapt quickly to workplace changes and the way they work. The right choice of mobile device for each business case is essential.

Regardless of your needs, there’s a FUJITSU ultra-mobile product offering to meet the challenge – and with €100 cashback, there couldn’t be a better time to buy! Find out more in our free eBook.

Organizations also need the right strategy and support services to successfully transition to the needs of the future workplace. FUJITSU helps its customers to co-create and develop the innovative digital strategies needed to drive workplace transformation. And with the hardware- and software-level support provided by made4you Customizing Services as shown below, we are in a unique position to ensure that your organization is more than ready for the challenges ahead!

Looking to equip your mobile workforce with new ultra-mobile devices? With every new generation, ultra-mobile devices are getting lighter and more powerful. To add to that, the arrival of new standards like USB Type-C and Thunderbolt promises to revolutionize connectivity (while rendering your existing peripherals obsolete). In these changing times, with a multitude of options […]

With every new generation, ultra-mobile devices are getting lighter and more powerful. To add to that, the arrival of new standards like USB Type-C and Thunderbolt promises to revolutionize connectivity (while rendering your existing peripherals obsolete). In these changing times, with a multitude of options at one’s disposal, how do you actually choose the right device for your enterprise?

The Essentials

What does a mobile device need, regardless of its form factor? True mobility calls for a day-long battery life and an ultra-lightweight design. Design and ergonomics are important if a device is going to be carried around and used during the day and while travelling. For productivity, look for full-sized keyboard options. An anti-glare full HD display is essential for working just about anywhere – even in bright outdoor spaces. To keep up with the demands of video conferencing and online collaboration platforms such as Slack or Trello, you’ll need a full complement of connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, built-in LAN for the office, 4G/LTE and Bluetooth.

Performance and Security

Fast SSD drives mean faster boot times, quick application starts, and better performance for more productivity and less frustration when jumping between tasks. Mobile devices are more prone to loss or theft, and also more exposed to the potential risk of man-in-the-middle attacks on open public Wi-Fi networks. You’ll need both innovative hardware and solid software security features to protect your device and your organization’s data from unauthorised access.

Business Continuity

How do you manage device obsolescence or very short product refresh cycles? For many manufacturers, this is a key aspect of their business model – but it shouldn’t be part of yours. Continuity is key: Look for a manufacturer that offers long product lifecycles – more than 12 months – and a guaranteed stable system roadmap that is consistent across generations, for better device compatibility and servicing over time. Can the battery be replaced? Look for business notebooks with user-changeable batteries and access to memory and storage to prolong their lifespan and make serviceability a lot easier.

Compatibility

Choose devices that can share accessories and peripherals. All devices from the manufacturer should share a “family concept”, providing a universal docking solution. This allows devices to be quickly integrated into a common infrastructure and creates a consistent working environment over several generations of devices. Not only does this reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), but it also results in a “flat” team hierarchy where everybody feels equally well equipped to do their jobs.

Docking solutions within the family concept should also support traditional interfaces in addition to new ones such as USB Type-C, which is not yet available everywhere. While this may become the future standard, you’ll want to continue using existing peripherals until they need replacing and not before.

What about the device itself? Whether you choose a tablet, an ultra-lightweight business notebook, or a 2 in 1 tablet will completely depend on its usage scenario. Consult our free eBook to guide you through the options and an insight into the FUJITSU family concept for long term TCO savings.

Notebook, Tablet or 2 in 1? The Same. Only Different.

Whatever your ultra-mobile computing needs are, FUJITSU has the perfect secure device for you AND with €100 cashback, now is the time to buy! See details here

There are companies and there are smart companies. While ‘Rip and replace’ is one of the many options for companies that want to refresh their hardware, smart companies typically preserve budgets for projects that have more priority. Smart companies have CTOs/CIOs, IT managers and system admins that know how they can extract the maximum value […]

There are companies and there are smart companies. While ‘Rip and replace’ is one of the many options for companies that want to refresh their hardware, smart companies typically preserve budgets for projects that have more priority. Smart companies have CTOs/CIOs, IT managers and system admins that know how they can extract the maximum value from their existing IT instead of stretching their budgets to acquire newer equipment.

Striking the Right Balance

Smart companies also look at alternatives that provide the optimal balance between security and computing power. If a certain percentage of your computing is purely task-based computing — POS terminals at multiple retail locations, customer service terminals at branch offices — that handles sensitive information and happens over a network with a server at the backend, then it makes sense to shift to a secure, easy-to-manage infrastructure.

Handling an Attack

Smart companies are all about having a secure infrastructure that can handle an attack while ensuring that business continuity never gets disrupted. Smart companies always prioritize security, high availability and scalability that are critical for matching up to the growth of the organization without losing perspective on the operational difficulties of having a large IT sprawl.

Do More with Less

Having a ‘do more with less’ outlook by leveraging existing infrastructures such as your server backend and virtualizing certain ‘departments’ in your organization is a smart way to start. Server-based computing (SBC) and Virtual Desktop Infrastructures (VDI) are not new concepts; however, in the current environment of frequent cyberattacks, it makes sense for organizations to have greater control over their end-point devices, their networks and, more importantly, their data. Companies that are interested in having a proactive security posture that can effectively handle an IT crisis such as a breach or a cyberattack need to start experimenting with this approach.

Leverage your Existing Infrastructure. Start your Lean IT Journey Now

Maybe your IT team is struggling for time, personnel and budgets? Why not leverage your existing server backend, pilot a Thin Client deployment and see how you can do more with less?

One way to start is to inventory all devices that have almost reached their end-of-life (EOL). Instead of acquiring new equipment and getting rid of EOL equipment, you can start by checking if it can be repurposed. This is facilitated by the eLux operating system (OS), which is a hardware-agnostic Thin Client OS that has flexible licensing, enabling customers to:

Convert existing hardware such as Desktops to Thin Clients by installing the eLux OS

Migrate the existing license to a newly acquired Thin Client device when the old device needs to be replaced completely

These two simple steps enable you to protect your existing investments and save costs when you finally acquire new hardware, resulting in a dual benefit of trying out a new computing approach and doing more with less.

In case you require any further consultation, feel free to get in touch with your local Fujitsu sales representative or Fujitsu Reseller, or visit our website. We have experienced teams that can help you understand how it can benefit your organization.

Click on the links to learn more about our Virtualization expertise, FUTRO Thin Client offerings and partner solutions.